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Institute of Macromolecular
Chemistry
AS CR, v.v.i.
Heyrovského náměstí 2
162
06 Praha
6
Czech Republic
| Supervisor: Adam Strachota Organic-inorganic (O-I) copolymers based mainly on linear polydimethylsiloxanes containing mesogenic comonomer units with a strong tendency to aggregation will be synthesized. The aim is to obtain novel rubbery block copolymers with attractive mechanical and thermal properties, which can be melt processed at elevated temperatures. Apart from synthesis work, rheological properties during polymer formation and melting (chemorheology, gelation) as well as the thermo-mechanical properties of the final solid products (DMTA) will be characterized directly in our department by the course participant. Further extensive characterization of the products will be done by cooperating with other departments our Institute: especially morphology (WAXS, SAXS, TEM), chemical structure (NMR) and polarization microscopy. |
| Supervisor: Vítězslav
Zima The project is aimed on preparation and characterization of new metal organophosphonates especially those with functional groups interesting from the point of their electronic and optical properties and possible use in intercalation chemistry. Metal organophosphonates are inorganic-organic hybrid compounds in which the nature of the organic part can be changed such that the products comply with desired requirements. These hybrid materials have potential applications as catalysts, proton conductors, sorbents and ion exchangers. The materials will be prepared predominantly by hydrothermal syntheses. Regardless of the extensive research in this area there are still many unknown factors governing the structure of the products, such as high coordination flexibility of the phosphonic groups. Thus exploratory synthesis plays an increasingly vital role in examining compounds of this type. Attempts will be made to determine their structure from powder X-ray data. The project will focus mainly on functionalized aryl and alkyl phosphonates with a specific emphasis on phosphonates of tetravalent metals. |
| Supervisor: Milena
Špírková Polyurethanes (PU) feature an extremely broad range of end-use properties (density, stiffness, hardness, etc.). They are commonly used in the form of foams (flexible, semi-rigid, rigid) in construction, transportation, furniture (bedding) and footwear. In some special applications, PUs are used as soft solid elastomers or hard solid plastics. Main materials for PUs preparation are: oligomeric polyol, isocyanate, chain extender/crosslinker. Though the design properties of PUs are different, the number and kind of components for their preparation is relatively narrow. The most common (“classical”) PUs are based on polyether (PE) or polyester (PES) diols or triols and aromatic di- or poly- isocyanates. PUs prepared from polycarbonate- (PC) or polybutadiene- (PB) polyols belong to the group of specialty products, due to oftentimes enhanced end-use properties of PC-PUs and PB-PUs compared with “classical” PUs. The project will be aimed on the preparation and characterization novel multicomponent PUs made from polycarbonate (PC)-based macrodiols differing in the constitution of the chain and the molecular weight (1000 and 2000), aliphatic and cycloaliphatic diisocyanates and aliphatic chain extender/crosslinker. In some cases, inorganic nanofiller will be added. The synthetic techniques will be concentrating on particulate products (waterborne PU dispersions). Multidisciplinary characterization of PC-PUs including advanced techniques of analyses on the segmental, nanometer and micrometer scale will be done in order to study relationship: material choice – preparation technique – end-use properties will be acquired and compared with relevant PUs. |
| Supervisor: Zbyněk Pientka New polymeric and composite materials, based on special polymers (polyimides, styrene-ethylene block copolymers, etc) and inorganic nanoporous fillers, will be utilized for membrane preparation. Physico-chemical properties of the prepared membranes will be characterised using FTIR, DSC, TGA, SEM, AFM etc. techniques. The aim is optimizing of gas and vapor transport properties in relation with membrane morphology. |
| Supervisor: Jiří Spěváček The project will be devoted to the investigation of interactions in aqueous solutions (or gels) of stimuli-responsive polymers which show a phase transition of the coil-globule type. This transition can be induced by temperature, solvent composition etc. Multicomponent polymer systems with various architecture will be studied, e.g,, block or graft copolymers containing thermoresponsive blocks or grafts. Information how the architecture of the polymer system affects the phase-separated globular-like structures on various level should be obtained. This includes information on the fraction of monomer units in these structures, on changes in hydrogen bonding of specific functional groups and arrangement of water molecules, and in changes in dynamics of polymer segments and water due to the phase transition. The knowledge how the structure and interactions (hydration) are changed in a multicomponent system in comparison with the respective homopolymer(s) should provide more information which is important to design materials with specific properties. NMR spectroscopy will be the main method in these investigations. It can be combined with vibrational spectroscopy and other physical methods when this will be desirable. |
| Supervisor: Elena N.
Konyushenko Conducting polymer colloids based on polyaniline, polypyrrole or polythophenes are modern materials with high application potential. Such colloids can be prepared be oxidizing the respective monomers with various oxidants by using water-soluble polymers or surfactants as stabilizers in aqueous media. Subsequent deposition of noble metals, such as silver, may further improve the electrical properties of composites. The preparation of colloids will be optimized with respect to processing requirements, e.g., of inkjet or other printing techniques. The resulting materials will be characterized especially by dynamic light scattering and by infrared, Raman and UV-visible spectroscopies. |
| Supervisor: Hynek Beneš Epoxy resins are broadly used for casting and encapsulation of electronic and electrical devices and for LED applications. Nevertheless, it seems to be a recurring challenge to develop an epoxy formulation enabling to prepare a tough material without reducing its stiffness. The project is focused on preparation of an epoxy resin from polyols based on vegetable oils and recycled polycarbonate waste. Experimental work will combine synthesis and physico-chemical characterization of the prepared products. First, an epoxidation of the polyols and characterization of the prepared epoxy resin will be done. Then, the epoxy resin will be crosslinked by amine and anhydride hardeners and the finally cured material will be characterized (differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic mechanical analysis, tensile tests, thermogravimetric analysis, fracture toughness, etc.). |
| Supervisor: Hynek Beneš Graphene, a single-atom-thick sheet of sp2-bonded carbon atoms, has generated much interest due to its high specific area and novel mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties. Special properties of graphene can be transferred to graphene-polymer composites. The project deals with a preparation of graphene-based polymer coating with improved thermo-mechanical and gas barrier properties. Experimental work will include a suitable chemical modification of monomers, an incorporation of graphene dispersion into various polymer matrices, a preparation and curing of thin layer coating and final characterization of the cured coating (morphology, mechanical properties, termooxidation stability, gas permeability, adhesion tests, etc.). |
| Supervisor: Daniel
Horák Aim is to obtain magnetic particles containing functional groups for future attachment of biomolecules. Nanosized magnetic iron oxide particles will be formed by precipitation of iron(II) and iron(III) salts and stabilized by a modification agent. The precipitation reaction and colloidal stability of the product will be studied and morphology, zeta-potential and the particle size determined. Coating of the particles will be achieved by low- and high-molecular-weight compounds containing anchoring groups and the particles will be functionalized by chemical reactions. Morphology (particle size and distribution), composition, particle structure and functional properties of produced composite particles will be investigated. |
| Supervisor: Jiří Pfleger The lifetime of excitons and the efficient charge transfer in polymers are important for their application in optoelectronics, like in organic solar cells, organic field-effect transistors, light-emitting diodes and sensors. Such polymers represent a new group of semiconductors, which form a material base for flexible electronics, in which the electronic components are manufactured by printing techniques on flexible substrates. The work is focused on the preparation of thin nanostructured polymer materials and nanocomposites, and on the experimental study of the photogeneration and transport of free charge carriers using time-resolved photoinduced transient absorption spectroscopy in a femtosecond time scale, and measurements of charge carriers mobility. |
| Supervisor: Vladimír
Proks
Cell adhesion to extracellular matrix (ECM) components is necessary for the development, organization, and maintenance of tissues. Biomaterials that could substitute ECM ligands and promote cell adhesion are important for numerous biotechnological and biomedical applications, such as artificial organs, biomaterials for tissue regeneration and tissue engineering and synthetic supports for in vitro cell cultures. In vivo, cell adhesion to ECM proteins is primarily mediated by integrins, transmembrane receptors composed of alpha and betasubunits. Integrins bind to specific amino acid sequences of the ECM proteins. Well-known example of such adhesion peptides comprises the arginine–glycine–aspartic acid motif present in many ECM proteins, including fibronectin and vitronectin. The aim of the work is to prepare synthetic polypeptides (artificial proteins) containing non-essential amino acids suitable for selective „click-like“ chemical modification. The second part of the work is biomimetic modification of the prepared synthetic polypeptides. |
| Supervisor: Ivan Kelnar Simultaneous increase in toughness, stiffness and strength of thermoset nanocomposites should be achieved by complex effect of layered or tube-type nanofillers in two phase system of epoxy resin with dispersed polymeric phase like elastomers, thermoplastic polymers or different copolymers. Modification of nanofiller in combination with different type, functionality and properties of polymeric phase should lead to formation of self-assembled complex organic-inorganic structures, e. g., new effective impact modifiers. The goal is understanding the basic parameters determining formation of complex inclusions and their energy- absorbing mechanisms |
| Supervisor: Jiří Brus Understanding how molecular systems self-assemble in the solid state continues to be a challenge. In this regard, H-bonding and van der Waals interactions are considered to play major roles as structure-driving entities in the construction of supramolecular arrangements. This is of particular relevance in macromolecular sciences, as multiple forms of the same polymeric composite with diverse physicochemical properties can occur depending on the preparation process applied. A new generation of composite materials combines well-established polymers with specifically designed molecular clusters, such as various dicarbolides, possessing a range of different functionalities. At first, these clusters can be considered as nanorotors conserving high amounts of mechanical energy. Second, B-H protons can form multiple H-bonds providing structural variability, and finally, the whole dicarbolide clusters, as negatively charged particles, can be involved into the formation of the grid of electrostatic forces, a framework of the resulting composite system. The proposed UNESCO/IUPAC project, a part of our current research, is focused on the application of the concept of NMR crystallography to describe segmental dynamics and packing interactions in self-assembled polymeric composites in order to disclose relations between supramolecular arrangements and physicochemical properties of a new generation of polymeric composites. Particular attention will be devoted to the optimization of various 11B-11B(23Na,13C) correlation experiments. For further details see our recently published paper Macromolecules 2011, 44, 3847, and our web site http://www.imc.cas.cz/nmr/en/stud.html#5. |
| Supervisor: Martina
Urbanová, Jiří Brus Drugs with
limited solubility are rather challenging in pharmaceutical sciences
because
they may pose the risk of insufficient exposure and poor efficacy in
patients
upon oral administration. A promising alternative to the traditional
formulations of these drugs lies in their transformation from
crystalline state
into the solid dispersions in polymer matrix. The aim of our current
research
is to develop new types of drug-polymer dosage forms and to understand
factors
affecting bioavailability of the alternatively formulated active
pharmaceutical
ingredients (APIs). Particular attention of the proposed UNESCO/IUPAC
project will
be paid to the optimization of dissolution profiles of the
alternatively
formulated APIs. Indispensible part of the project will be structural
characterization of the prepared drug-polymer systems using advanced
techniques
of solid-state NMR. This project has ambitions to make progress in the
field of
formulations of solid drug-polymer dosage forms with tunable
properties,
enhanced bioavailability and improved long-term stability. |
| Supervisor: Libor Kobera,
Jiří Brus Aluminosilicate
inorganic polymers (AIPs, geopolyers) have received growing industrial
interest due to the low energy requirements of their manufacture and
promising
mechanical properties. However, undesired crystallization accompanied
by the loss of mechanical properties has limited widespread application
of
these systems. In the recent years the problem of controlling structure
of
AIP systems has became seriously discussed. Over this effort, however,
complete description of all factors affecting
crystallization of amorphous AIPs is still missing. To fill this gap,
we currently deal
with the preparation and structural characterization (solid-state NMR)
of a
new generation of these AIP systems that are specifically modified by
reactive organic fillers such as (3-aminopropyl)trimethoxysilane and
bisfenol A
diglycidyl ether . The aim of the proposed UNESCO/IUPAC research
project is to
find optimal preparation procedure of these systems and to explore
chemical
environments of [AlO4]- terahedra, the
rate of chemical conversion of organic monomers, location of
charge-balancing
counter ions including location as well as binding strength of water
molecules,
and the overall structure of the resulting hybrid inorganic/organic
composite. |
| Supervisor: Eduard Brynda Deposition of proteins from blood, plasma, serum, and other complex biological media, makes serious troubles in many applications of artificial materials in biotechnologies and medicine. The work will aim at the synthesis of novel antifouling molecular brushes with ultra-high molecular weight. The molecular brushes will be comprised of antifouling lateral chains and a backbone engineered for convenient immobilization on various substrates via click chemistry. The antifouling lateral chains will be introduced either utilizing macromonomers or via host-guest interactions of adamantyl functionalized polymers (prepared by RAFT, ATRP or SET polymerization) and a backbone bearing β-cyclodextrins. The candidate is expected to learn state-of-the-art polymer synthesis via control radical polymerizations intended for nanobiotechnology and medicine. |
| Supervisor: Eduard Brynda So fare the development
of synthetic low
diameter-blood vessel grafts failed
due to a
rapid thrombus formation stopping blood flow after the graft
implantation. The
coating of the inner graft surface with natural vessel endothelium
seems to
provide the only way in which the problem can be solved. A goal of the work will be to prepare
artificial fibrin networks on the grafts surface utilizing processes
and
biological macromolecules that take part in regeneration of injured
vessels in
organism. The composition and morphology of the prepared coatings will
be investigated
so that optimum growth of vessel endothelial cells seeded on the
modified
surfaces can be reached by the collaborating team of biologists and
medical
doctors. |
| Supervisor: Petr Štěpánek Polymeric nanoparticles have an increasing range of applications in many areas of nanotechnology. Nowadays functional nanocarriers for applications in medicine and biology are the most promising and studied systems. In this project we shall focus on the preparation of biocompatible polymeric nanoparticles by different methods using synthesized precursors and their specific interactions with surface active materials (surfactants and block copolymers). This approach leads to the possibility of preparing nanoparticles using a wide variety of biocompatible and biodegradable polymeric substances and therefore specifically tailored for defined applications such as targeted delivery of drugs and genetic materials. The nanoparticle characterization and interaction with complex physiological media (e.g.; proteins from human blood) will be studied by scattering of light and X-rays, nanoparticle tracking analysis, FTIR spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy. |
| Supervisor: Ivan Fortelný Blends of immiscible polymers represent significant amount of polymer materials uses in everyday life. For tailoring their properties, their phase structure formed during their mixing and processing must be controlled. The aim of the study is contribute to understanding of the phase structure formation and evolution in flowing polymer blends. The phase structure of solidified blends, formed in complex flow field in a mixer or in simple shear, will be studied by electron microscopy. The phase structure evolution in shear flow will be studied also in situ by rheometer with optical detection. The accent will be put to experiments or theoretical interpretation of the result with respect to applicant interests. |
| Supervisor: Miroslav Šlouf Major problem of synthetic polymer
nanocomposites is to achieve a good dispersion of nanofiller in a
polymer matrix.
That is why we developed the sandwich method, which is optimized for
small
samples (10mm x 10mm x 0.2mm) containing homogeneous layer(s) of
nanoparticles
between thin polymer films. Such specimens are currently used for
detailed
investigation of heterogeneous nucleation of polymer crystallization.
The
nucleation of polymer crystallization is an important process, which
influences
final properties of the material. Sandwich nanocomposites of selected
polymers
(PP, POM) and various nucleating agents (metal micro/nanocrystals, TiO2-based
particles, commercial nucleants) will be studied. Sandwich
method has been published quite recently
and its application on semicrystalline polymers promises new results
concerning
the impact of nanoparticle size, shape and/or chemical purity on their
nucleation
activity. |